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James McAvoy; Gillian Clarke on Dylan Thomas; Natalie Merchant

James McAvoy on his new film X-Men: Days of Future Past; poet Gillian Clarke reviews A Poet in New York, a TV drama on the last days of Dylan Thomas; plus, singer Natalie Merchant.

With John Wilson

Actor James McAvoy (Atonement, The Last King of Scotland, Trance) discusses being one of the X-Men, and what it has in common with playing Macbeth.

To mark the centenary of Dylan Thomas' birth, Andrew Davies has written a new TV drama focusing on the poet's fourth and fatal visit to New York in 1953. Starring Tom Hollander, the story captures the last few days of Dylan Thomas' life - weaving in the memories of his childhood in Wales and his relationship with his wife, Caitlin. Gillian Clarke, National Poet Of Wales, reviews.

Natalie Merchant, the American singer-songwriter known for the poetry in her songs, talks to John about her new CD. The self-titled album is her first collection of all her own work for 13 years.

Tuesday sees the British Council unveiling its first ever photographic exhibition - their Director of Visual arts Andrea Rose travelled to North Korea with acclaimed photojournalist Nick Danziger as they collected images of people doing ordinary things, swimming, waiting for a tram, students walking down the street. Andrea describes the experience.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • James McAvoy

    Actor James McAvoy discusses being one of the X-Men

    Duration: 10:12

  • A Poet in New York

    Gillian Clarke, National Poet Of Wales, reviews a new TV drama focusing on Dylan Thomas

    Duration: 05:47

  • People and Places in the DPRK

    Andrea Rose discusses the British Council's photographic exhibition on North Korea

    Duration: 04:27

  • Natalie Merchant

    Natalie Merchant known for the poetry in her songs, talks to John about her new album

    Duration: 07:43

Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant

the self-titledÌýnew album is out now.ÌýNatalie is in conversation with Alain de Boton on Thursday 15 May 2014 at and continues her tour at Milton Court Concert Hall, LondonÌýon Sunday 18 May 2014.

Ìý

Image Credit: Dan Winters

X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past

starring James McAvoy is released in UK cinemas on Thursday 22 May 2014, certificate 12A.

Ìý

Image: Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy & Hugh Jackman in X-Men: Days of Future Past, 20th Century Fox

A Poet in New York

A Poet in New York

is on at 21:00 on Sunday 18 May 2014 on Â鶹Éç Two.

Ìý

Image: Phoebe Fox as Liz Reitell, Tom Hollander as Dylan ThomasÌý& Ewen Bremner as John Malcolm Brinnin

Above the Line: People and Places in the DPRK (North Korea)

: Photographs by Nick Danziger is on display at the British Council, London from Wednesday 14 May until Friday 25 July 2014.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest James McAvoy
Interviewed Guest Gillian Clarke
Interviewed Guest Natalie Merchant
Interviewed Guest Andrea Rose
Producer Dymphna Flynn

Broadcast

  • Mon 12 May 2014 19:15

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